The Dragoon Express Printing shop wasn't too crowed by the time Kai managed to get there. The shop was owned by two brothers, Tyson and Hiro Granger. While their grandfather continued to maintain the Dojo that had been in the family for years, the Granger brothers pretty much had their hands full at the shop. It was a favourtie haunt for would-be photograhpers and also the only place Kai went to get his photos done.
The bell above the door gave small tinkle as Kai entered. Some of the clients nodded their head in a small greeting before returning to their work. Kai did nothing as he made his way towards the desk. He opened his bag and sorted through the rolls of film he had, listening out for any sign of either the younger or older Granger brother. The sound of someone slurping a drink through a straw caught Kai's attention but he didn't look up. "Back again Kai?"
The russian placed the rolls of film onto the desk and coolly regarded the owner. "Can you get these done for thursday Hiro?" Kai inquried. Hiro Granger, older brother to Tyson, gave a firm nod and slurped some more of his drink through the bright neon green straw he owned. "Thanks. I'll come by thursday afternoon to pick them up." Kai gathered his bag together and headed towards the door.
"You went up to that club again. What did those two want this time?" Hiro questioned, placing his elbows on the front desk. Kai paused, one hand on the door. Glancing over his shoulder, Kai sent Hiro a cold gaze. Hiro raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
"The same as the last time and the time before that. It's none of your business anyway Hiro." Kai shot back and left the shop. Hiro sighed loudly and placed his now empty cup on the desk. He gathered the rolls up and headed off into the back room.
"Tyson! Get your fat ass down here! Hiwatari's just delivered some rolls of film and I need your help!" Hiro called.
--
By the time Kai got to The Midnight Chaos club that night, a line had already formed. It was slowly reaching to the end of the block and Kai was fairly sure it would wind round the corner as well. The russian nodded a few hellos to some of the clubbers. Friendly faces he had seen during his times at the club. He reached the front of the line only to find Jemma in mid-arguement with a group of men.
"Whatcha mean we're barred? We only came here yesturday!" One of the men hissed. Kai studied the men cooly. All five of them wour suits and caried some type of brief-case. Not the type that would come down to the club. The tallest of the group was really laying into Jemma and although smaller, she glared back with such fire that Kai started to fell a little afraid. Not that he would admit it openly. He instead moved silently to stand by Crusher's side.
Crusher's real name was Moses. How he got the name Crusher Kai didn't want to know. Crusher had a younger sister who had a life-threating illness which was why he took the job as a bouncer. The money he earned managed to pay for all of her hospital bills but with so many left to pay, Crusher did not give up his job. Next to him was Garland. He was tall and stocky but in a good way. He was a martial artist by nature so was always handy when a fight eurpted. Finally there was Mystel who was smaller then both Crusher and Garland. How he became a bouncer was anyone's guess.
"You wanna know? One of your friend insulted my staff and you tried to snort coke in the toilets!" Jemma poked the man in the chest a few times. Dressed in a pair of skinny hip-hugger jeans and a black halter top, Jemma didn't look like the type to start a fight. The man stared back. "Incase you've forgotten about the rules of this joint, you don't do drugs in this club!" Jemma snapped. The man regained himself slightly and glared at Jemma again.
"Oh yeah? What about having sex in the toilets? Most of the people here are having sex in there." The man spat feeling a little triumphant. His bubble burst when Jemma gave a cool and casual shrug of her shoulders.
"If people want to explore their sexuality in the toilets, that's their business. They can broadcast it to the world if they like. As long as they clean up after themselves." Jemma smiled sweetly and grabbed the man's tie, pulling him down to her level. "Now get lost! No amount of money is gonna change my mind." Jemma hissed dangerously. She let the man go who was grabbed by his friends. A choruses of 'leave it.' was heard before the group of men left. There came a cheer from the people waiting in line before the man turned back round.
"Mark my words you bitch! You'll regret tonight!" he yelled shaking his fist in the air. Jemma merely flicked the man off before turning her attention to Kai.
"Darling! Good to see you." Jemma began to push Kai into the club. With a final shove, the young english girl shoved Kai into the club and turned to look at Crusher. "Okay guys, let them in!" she grinned. Crusher nodded his head and tugged at the red rope blocking the line. The clubbers raced to get inside, fishing money out to pay for their enterance.
--
Kai studied the back of Jemma's head as her dark blue curls swayed and bounced with each step she took. He wanted to know about the whole deal with the men outside the club but Kai wasn't the type of person to ask. Finding a reasonable perch, Kai sorted out his camera before taking his first picture of the night. The bar was already getting packed. Jemma, Lucy and another young female named Hillary already had their hands full. Kai took a step backwards and snaped a few photos quickly.
Then someone smacked into the back of him almost sending Kai flying.
"Oi! Watch it!" Kai snapped. The figure, a light brown haired male, turned round. The two had a stand off in the middle of the club while other clubbers started to get themselves ready for the night. Kai glared at the figure who gave a small meep and spoke quickly.
"Really sorry about that. Wasn't watching where I was going." The male held out a hand. "Brooklyn. Brooklyn Kingston." the male smiled. Kai continued to stare at Brooklyn. He frowned. "I can see your not the most social of people." Brooklyn muttered, jamming his hand back in the pockets of his trousers. Kai looked Brooklyn over.
"A bit old for a clubber aren't you?" Kai suddenly muttered. His nose wrinkled a little before turning to snap another photo. The russian chose a dark corner by a bright pink neon sign. A few people were taking up perch there and seemed to be getting into the swing of things.
"I'm 31."
Kai paused and glanced over to his right. Brooklyn smiled at him. Kai didn't return it and returned to taking some photos. The camera gave a few short clicks. "Fancy a drink?" Brooklyn asked suddenly catching Kai off guard. The russian continued to glare at him.
"Incase it didn't dawn on you, I am actually working." Kai spat. Brooklyn gave another lop-sided grin. Kai was seriously getting annoyed with the guy. What would it take for Brooklyn to take a hint and leave him alone? "Just leave me alone okay. I have work to do." Kai added and stormed off to another part of the club. The russian hoped that he would lose Brooklyn in the crowd. Taking a slow look over his shoulder, Kai gave out a small sigh of relief and continued on with his job.
--
The night wour on, Kai continued to work and Nathan was pretty sure the russian hadn't had a break. The half-japanese male shook his head as he watched Kai snap away. Nathan turned on his heel and stalked closer to the bar. The rush had died down a little which meant it was easier for Nathan to get served. "What'll it be?" Jemma asked as she reached for a glass. Nathan jabbed a thumb over his shoulder and in the direction of Kai.
"Triple Vodka and lemonade for Kai. He hasn't had a break all night." Nathan replied. The songs switched over and another mad rush for the dance floor began. Jemma smirked a little as she got busy preparing the drink. From the corner of her eye, she could just see Brooklyn being served again. Jemma moved silently towards Nathan and lent over the bar to whisper to him.
"I can't think why. Kai's been hounded by that Kingston guy all night." Jemma whispered. She placed a beer mat down before the drink followed. Nathan eyed Brooklyn from where he was perched. He knew Brooklyn well enough. The man was a regular at the club. Nine times out of ten He always took some young male or female back home with him but...there were rumours. Some of the clubbers whispered that Brooklyn wasn't right in the head. That there was something very off about him. Nathan was a good judge of character and he has shivers up his spine whenever he saw Brooklyn.
Kai at that point decided to have a drink and wondered towards the bar. He nodded to Nathan who waved at him and sat down next to his friend. "For you. Figured you might want a drink." Nathan chuckled pushing the said item towards Kai. The russian nodded his head in thanks and took a small sip. "Hear you've been hounded by Kingston all night." Nathan mentioned off-handedly as Hillary passed him a bottle and a small dish. Kai noted that Nathan was back on the sake again.
"Who told you?" Kai inquried. Nathan poured some Sake into the little dish and nodded his head towards Jemma. The english girl was flirting rather shamelessly with a red head. Kai had met her once or twice and searched for her name. Kai took another sip of his drink as Salima giggled at whatever Jemma was telling her and blushed scarlet. "Jemma's not after another relationship, is she?" Kai wondered. Nathan shook his head.
"Nah. Just some harmless flirting." Nathan downed what was left in the small dish before swirling round to face Kai on the bar stool. "You almost done with the photos?" Kai shook his head a little and finished his drink. Before he could answer his friend, the russian felt drawn to the small corner where the neon sign hung. The group from earlier had moved but Kai felt as though someone was there, watching him. The neon sign could not reach into the corner so it remained dark. The russian shivered despite himself. "Hello? Kai!" Nathan called, shaking his friend's shoulder.
Kai turned away from the corner, ignoring the heat in the back of his head. "I just need a few shots of you and Jemma then I'm done." Kai informed. Nathan nodded his head, whislting for Jemma. The english girl sighed a little and bid Salima a good bye. While Jemma made her way towards Nathan, Kai glanced to the right to find Brooklyn smiling at him. "You again." Kai hissed a little.
"I heard you're almost done with your work. Wanna join me for a drink later?" Brooklyn inquried hopefully. Kai continued to glare at Brooklyn. He had no energy left to refuse him and was about to agree when Nathan stepped in.
"Sorry mate. He's already agreed to have a drink with us." Nathan informed. Brooklyn wrinkled his nose a little and got up from his perch. The trio watched him leave, talking swiftly to Salima who giggled at whatever he said.
--
Kai took a small sip of his coffee as he skimmed through the morning paper. The russian was perched outside a small coffee shop, stalling for time. He had just delivered the club photos to Hiro and wanted them done on express. Hiro had been put off by the whole thing but agreed nonetheless. Now all Kai had to do was wait until 12. The russian had done his other jobs which involded paying the bills and the rent and now he found himself a little bored. Maybe I should take Jemma up on that offer. Kai mused when his phone gave out its usual shrill ring-tone. Kai flipped it open and frowned. "Hello. Kai Hiwatari speaking."
"Kai, hunny. You okay?"
Kai returned his gaze towards his newspaper and flicked through it again. "I'm fine." Came the short sharp reply. The person on the other end tutted a little. Kai growled quietly to himself. "How are you Jemma?" he inquried. Although he had never been a very sociable person, Jemma was doing everything in her path to make Kai more of a human being. He hated her for that. Jemma gave a small squeak.
"I'm really good, only..." Jemma paused. Kai frowned and took a sip of his coffee. "...Salima phoned me in a right fit. Asked if I'd seen Mariam. I said no but I was wondering if you had."
"Mariam?" Kai searched his memory for any sign of Salima's friend. Jemma waited on the other end. Finally Kai's search turned up nothing. "No, can't say that I have. Wouldn't she be with Ozuma?" Kai replied. Jemma clicked her tongue over her teeth.
"That's just it. I even had Ozuma and Mariam's brother on the phone. It's like she just vanished." Jemma sounded a little crest-fallen which did not suit her whatsoever. Kai glanced down at his watch and began to rolled his newspaper up. "I'm starting to get a little worried Kai. Mariam's a tough girl. She wouldn't just up and disappear without a trace." Jemma muttered. Kai paused before shaking his head. He was not a person to tell someone everything was going to be alright. Instead he chose to change the subject.
"Jemma, I'm going to pick up the photos of the club. Do you want me to drop by on my way home?" Kai inquried. Suddenly a loud and excited squeal was heard, forcing Kai to pull his phone away from his ear. "I'll take that as a yes." he muttered.
--
It was Tyson who stood at the main desk of the shop. The younger Granger seemed enthralled in whatever he was reading when Kai entered the shop. The other customers from the day before nodded another greeting to Kai. They were always in the shop and often asked Kai to join them. The russian silently declined each time. Today they left him alone. Kai got to the desk but Tyson still did not look up at the russian. Kai rapped his knuckles on the desk. "Tyson."
The said male looked up and and a face-splitting smile erupted on his face. "Kai!" The Japanese boy ran round the desk and pulled Kai into a hug. The russian, although use to such hugs from Jemma, tensed greatly. Tyson pulled away. "How you been? I haven't seen you in ages!" Tyson inquried. Kai pulled away a little from Tyson and straightened out his shirt. Tyson pouted a little when he did not get an answer straight away.
"I came for the club photos. Have to drop them off to Jemma and Nathan." Kai informed. Tyson nodded his head quickly and ran to the back room of the shop. There came a few muffled curses before Tyson re-appeared with a few plastic wallets. Kai grunted a small thank you and opened one wallet. Tyson's gaze flicked between his magazine and his friend. Kai began to flick through the first set of photos and smiled.
"Good stuff?" Tyson asked but Kai did not reply. Kai did have to admit to himself whenever a photo-shoot went well, a swell of pride filled his chest. However the bubble soon burst when Kai came to the last set of photos. In each one was a smoky white mist. Placing the photo on the desk, Kai found the small mist only a little higher in the next picture. Tyson returned to his magazine. Kai set down the last set of photos onto the desk and traced the mist. It seemed to be moving upwards then suddenly started to move left.
"Hey Tyson. You're equpiment broke?" Kai inquried handing the photos to Tyson. The Japanese boy rolled his eyes a little as he took hold of the photos.
"Oh I see. Take really good pictures, you get all the credit. Take really bad pictures and we're to blame." Tyson sneered a little. He gave out a small meep when Kai continued to glare at him.
"Just have a look will you." Kai snapped. Tyson frowned over the photos, muttering something under his breath when Kai caught sight of the final photo. Gingerly picking it up, Kai's cold crimson eyes swept over the sight. It was a photo of the neon sign and the corner. Although the group had been there when Kai had taken the picture, they were nowhere to be seen. Instead standing in the corner was a young pale red-head male. Kai could only see to the waist. The rest of the male disappeared into the darkness of the corner. There was something un-nerving about the ice-blue eyes of the male.
"I think it's your negitives."
Kai turned away from the photo and back towards Tyson as the Japanese boy fumbled for the photo negitives. Tyson held them up to the light and smirked. "Yep just as I thought. The mist is on the negitives too. Maybe you should get your camera check out." Tyson offered. Kai frowned again and turned his sights back to the male in the photo.
Maybe Jemma and Nathan know who he is. I've never seen him before at all. Kai mused. He gathered everything up and placed some money on the desk. "Keep the change. I've got things to do." Kai muttered and headed towards the door. Tyson called him back.
"Do you want to pick up the graduation pictures as well? Hiro's got half of them done." Tyson informed. Kai shook his head quickly, one hand on the door handle.
"Thursday." Kai reminded sternly and then he left shop. Tyson pouted a little before returning to his magazine. The shop was once again oddly silently.